The importance of a small ephemeral tributary for fine sediment dynamics in a main‐stem river

Marteau, Baptiste; Batalla, Ramón J.; Vericat, Damià; Gibbins, Christopher

doi:10.1002/rra.3177

Cited by 11 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(66 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…As reported previously (Quinlan et al 2015a;Marteau et al 2017), the hydrological regime of the River Ehen remains relatively variable and flashy, despite being regulated by Ennerdale Water and the weir (Fig. 2a).…”

Section: Hydrological Conditionssupporting

confidence: 80%

“…The timing of sediment delivery does not always coincide with high flows in the Ehen (Marteau et al 2017), potentially leading to high rates of deposition downstream from the confluence.…”

Section: Study Area and Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An empirical NTU-SSC relationship was produced to compute SSC from turbidity readings (see Marteau et al (2017) for more details). This relationship was developed using fine sediments transported during floods.…”

Section: Suspended Sedimentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gauging Station) and in-channel sediment storage extrapolated over the reach. Additionally, information from previous published work (Marteau et al 2017) showing the fraction of sediment yield delivered by Ben Gill, the only tributary flowing into this part of the river, was used. The sediment budget for the lower reach was built using input and output suspended sediment yields (i.e.…”

Section: Data Processing and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The objective of re-introducing coarse sediment into the Ehen from this tributary is already being achieved (Marteau et al 2016). However, recent work has shown that much fine material is also being delivered, and since its reconnection, the tributary has become the main driver of fine sediment dynamics in the river system (Marteau et al 2017). The timing of water and sediment delivery from the tributary does not always coincide with competent flows in the Ehen, leading to important differences in suspended sediment concentrations, with potential implications for the quality of benthic habitat of mussels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Asynchronicity of fine sediment supply and its effects on transport and storage in a regulated river

et al. 2018

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose A disconnected ephemeral tributary was reconnected to the regulated River Ehen (NW England) as part of a river restoration initiative, providing a renewed delivery of sediment to a highly stable and armoured channel. This paper (1) assesses spatial and temporal dynamics of suspended and stored sediments in the Ehen, (2) characterises the composition of stored sediment, (3) develops fine sediment budgets for downstream river reaches, and (4) assesses the controls on the storage of fine sediment in the riverbed. Materials and methods A 3-km study section in the upper part of the River Ehen was divided into two reaches. Suspended sediments were monitored at the downstream limits of each reach over a 2-year period. In-channel storage was measured in three morphological units within the upper reach, on 13 occasions over the same period. Samples were used to assess changes in volumes of stored fine sediment, as well as the grain sizes and organic content of the material. A time-lapse camera facing the confluence of the tributary was used to conceptualise different flow scenarios. These scenarios reflect the degree of synchronicity between flows in the main-stem and those in the tributary. Fine sediment budgets were developed for each reach to assess the relative contribution of different sources of sediment. Results and discussion The reconnection significantly affected suspended sediment loads in the Ehen. Bed storage increased twofold, with changes most evident in the slow-flowing morphological unit. Changes in the composition of stored sediment were less marked than changes in the quantity of material. Changes in bed storage were controlled by the degree of synchronicity between flows in the Ehen and those in the newly reconnected tributary. Results show that three generalised flow scenarios occur, with total asynchronicity between flows in the tributary and the Ehen being responsible for the main episodes of fine sediment deposition. Overall, the estimated sediment budgets provide insights into the importance of non-perennial sources of sediment in supply-limited systems such as the Ehen. Although bed storage values are within the range of those published for UK rivers, the increase observed since the reconnection, together with the persistence of a static pavement, highlights the ecologically critical conditions of the regulated main-stem River Ehen. Conclusions Intermittent sources control fine sediment transport dynamics in the upper River Ehen. In this regulated river, ongoing deposition associated with increased low-and medium-sized flow events exerts more of a control on bed storage than large but rare floods. Management actions to limit delivery of material from lateral sources could help prevent further deterioration of habitat conditions for biota sensitive to fine sediment. Given the ongoing adjustment in the newly reconnected tributary, continued monitoring is needed to capture further morphosedimentary response in the main-stem.

show abstract

Section: Hydrological Conditionssupporting

confidence: 80%

“…The timing of sediment delivery does not always coincide with high flows in the Ehen (Marteau et al 2017), potentially leading to high rates of deposition downstream from the confluence.…”

Section: Study Area and Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Suspended Sedimentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Data Processing and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Asynchronicity of fine sediment supply and its effects on transport and storage in a regulated river

et al. 2018

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Coarse particulate organic matter dynamics in ephemeral tributaries of a Central Appalachian stream network

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Headwater ephemeral tributaries are interfaces between uplands and downstream waters. Terrestrial coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) is important in fueling aquatic ecosystems; however, the extent to which ephemeral tributaries are functionally connected to downstream waters through fluvial transport of CPOM has been little studied. Hydrology and deposition of leaf and wood, and surrogate transport (Ginkgo biloba leaves and wood dowels) were measured over month‐long intervals through the winter and spring seasons (6 months) in 10 ephemeral tributaries (1.3–5.4 ha) in eastern Kentucky. Leaf deposition and surrogate transport varied over time, reflecting the seasonality of litterfall and runoff. Leaf deposition was higher in December than February and May but did not differ from January, March, and April. Mean percent of surrogate leaf transport from the ephemeral tributaries was highest in April (3.6% per day) and lowest in February (2.5%) and May (2%). Wood deposition and transport had similar patterns. No CPOM measures were related to flow frequency. Ephemeral tributaries were estimated to annually contribute 110.6 kg AFDM·km−1·yr−1 of leaves to the downstream mainstem. Ephemeral tributaries are functionally connected to downstream waters through CPOM storage and subsequent release that is timed when CPOM is often limited in downstream waters.

show abstract

Ecosystem services of temporary streams differ between wet and dry phases in regions with contrasting climates and economies

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Temporary streams are dynamic ecosystems in which mosaics of flowing, ponded and dry habitats support high biodiversity of both aquatic and terrestrial species. Species interact within habitats to perform or facilitate processes that vary in response to changing habitat availability. A natural capital approach recognizes that, through such processes, the ‘natural assets’ of all ecosystems deliver services that benefit people. The ecosystem services of temporary streams remain largely unexplored, in particular those provided during ponded and dry phases. In addition, recent characterizations have focused on dryland systems, and it remains unclear how service provision varies among different climatic regions, or between developed and developing economies. We use evidence from interdisciplinary literature to examine the ecosystem services delivered by temporary streams, including the regulating, provisioning and cultural services provided across the continuum from flowing to dry conditions. We focus on service provision during dry phases and wet–dry transitions, across regions with contrasting climates and economic development. Provision of individual services in temporary streams may be reduced, enhanced or changed by surface water loss. Services enhanced by dry phases include provision of higher‐quality subsurface drinking water and unique opportunities for recreation. Shifts between dry and wet phases enable groundwater recharge that mitigates water scarcity, and grant dry‐phase access to sediments deposited during flowing phases. However, the accessibility and thus perceived value of these and other services varies considerably among regions. In addition, accessing provisioning services requires careful management to promote sustainable resource use and avoid ecological degradation. We highlight the need for environmental managers to recognize temporary streams as aquatic–terrestrial ecosystems, and to take actions promoting their diversity within functional socio‐ecological systems that deliver unique service bundles characterized by variability and differing availability in space and time. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

show abstract

The importance of a small ephemeral tributary for fine sediment dynamics in a main‐stem river

Cited by 11 publications

References 47 publications

Asynchronicity of fine sediment supply and its effects on transport and storage in a regulated river

Asynchronicity of fine sediment supply and its effects on transport and storage in a regulated river

Coarse particulate organic matter dynamics in ephemeral tributaries of a Central Appalachian stream network

Ecosystem services of temporary streams differ between wet and dry phases in regions with contrasting climates and economies

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About